Working lands get $500 million: Over the next five years, the USDA will put $500 million into the cost-sharing Working Lands for Wildlife initiative to preserve migratory big-game habitat in the West, deciduous forests in the East, and pine forests in the Southeast and Eastern watersheds that are home to “significant at-risk species.” (USDA)
U.S. crop-use struggles: Domestic and export demand for U.S. corn, cotton, and wheat fell, and soybeans barely gained in 2022, compared to the 2017-2021 average, which “suggests caution, likely concern, is in order” for growers this year, said three university economists. (farmdoc daily)
‘Chinese’ land is concentrated: Four out of every five acres of U.S. farmland owned by companies and citizens of China are owned by meat processor Smithfield Foods and billionaire Sun Guangxin, who wanted to build a wind farm in Texas. (NPR)
Designer strawberries are here: A handful of fruit companies want to diversify the strawberries sold in U.S. grocery stores, with fresh berries available far beyond the traditional spring harvest season and in novel colors and flavors. (Taste)